Scoring device for duplicate games



Dec 18, 1934. H. w. SLAUSON 1,984,844

SCORING DEVICE FOR DUPLICATE GAMES Filed Nov. '7. 1933 Patented Dec. 18, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

The invention to which the following description relates is an improvement in game accessories and more particularly to a device for use in keeping the score of games such as duplicate bridge and other card games in which duplicate hands are played and compared with the'original playing of the hands.

'One of the principal objects of the invention is to add more interest and to permit the players to derive more benefit from the playing of the duplicate hands by making it possible for the players to ascertain immediately after the playing of the duplicate hand, the bid, play and score of the original hand without at the same time observing, consciously or unconsciously, the bid,

play and score of previous original hands which have not yet been re-played. This has beenimpossible by previous methods of scoring this type of game.

In duplicate bridge it is customary to play sixteen original hands, or multiples thereof, each hand of which is attached to a board which is laid away after the playing of the original hand. When all the original boards are! finished the hands are re-played by taking the original boards and turning them so that each side will play the hands previously played by their opponents. After an original board has been played it is called a duplicate board and will be referred to as such in the remainder of this specification.

The object of such duplicate games is to compare the playing of one side with that of the other when confronted with similar hands. The interest is heightened and more benefit is derived when this comparison is made immediately after the playing of the duplicate hand when it is fresh in the minds of the players. At the present time the score of the original and duplicate hands are kept on separate scorecards and it is impossible to refer to the scorecard on which'the original play was kept to find the results of a single hand without inadvertently observing adjacent portions of the scorecard and thus discovering data regarding a hand which has not been re-played. This gives the observer an unfair advantage over his opponents and defeats the object of the game. This advantage is particularly pronounced in the game of duplicate contract bridge because the player is required to bid all the tricks counted for game score. My invention provides a simple, compact, easily operated device which overcomes these objections.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a convenient holder for the scorecard-permitting it to be held suitably and adjusted to different positions such that spaces will be provided for appropriate entries applying to the current hand. At the same time the score of the original hand of which the current one is-a duplicate will be positioned for inspectionon the opposite side of the card.

A further. object of my invention is to provide a permanent index on the holder as a guide to and. a reminder for the entries to be made on the scorecard.

A still further object of my invention is to arrange a holder which will permit the exposure of that portion of the scorecard'on which appears the index or numbers to the different hands so that the players mayreadily bring into position whichever series of entries it is desired to inspect.

Among the objects of my invention is to provide a holder, the parts'of which are interlockedor interengaged in, predetermined relative positions so that the segmental apertures of the several parts of the-holder through which the scorecard is inspected will be properly coordinated.

Other objects of my invention will be readily apparent from the following description of the preferred form of my invention as shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a perspectiveview of the device with the parts separated;

Fig. 2 is a plan view 'of'the reverse or duplicate side of the scorecard;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of thebottom of the assembled device;

Fig. 4 is a vertical diametricalcross-section;

and i Fig. 5 is a perspective fragmental view of a modified form of the scorecard holder. For purposes of example, I have shown'in the accompanying drawing one preferred form which myinvention may take. .Briefly the device consists of a holderformed from two'interengaging parts between which a circular scorecard is frictionally clamped. The card extends beyond the circumference of the top part of the holder and its periphery is suitably marked with the numbering 'of the hands which are to be played. The player can'readily use the. margin of the card as means-for rotating the latter to display the appropriate space for recording or inspecting any desired hand. The holder is suitably marked with an index as a guide to the entries which are to be made on the scorecard.

The parts of the holder are apertured for the purpose of bringing into view'any selected entry blank on the scorecard. The apertures on the parts of the holder are relatively placed so that the entry spaces displayed on the opposite sides of the scorecard will be of like numbering.

Referring specifically to the drawing, I have shown the holder to consist in a fiat base 5 and a top or cover member 6. Each of these parts may be made of stamped or cast metal or other material suitable for this purpose. While I have shown the base 5 as circular it may be of any suitable shapeiand may extend 'toany size so that it can bear markings, printing. or thelike.

The center of the base 5 is occupied by an upstanding enlargement or boss 7. This boss is cylindrical and its flat top carries a large rib or key 8 and a small rib or keyQfor the purpose'of forming interlocking or engagingmembers. The boss 7 also has a screw-threaded hole 10 vertically through the center.

An aperture 11 is provided in the base 5 and in the form shown extends as a segmental slot from the boss '7 to the outer edge of the base 5. This segmental slot or aperture is proportioned to correspond to the sizeof the space providedon the scorecard'for the entrieszappropriate to the play of a singlehand.

The top or cover member 6 of the holder consists of a disk similar in material andarrangement to the base member 5. The cover member, however, is limited to a circular shape in order to leave the outer margin of the scoreboard visible.

The member 6 has a central enlargement '12 the lower portion of which is recessed to receive the boss 7 and the engaging'members il and'9. In this way the members 5and:6 may befheld in contact without relative rotation.

The upper member 6 is also provided with the aperture 13 which in the form shown extends from the central boss or enlargement 12 to the periphery of the member 6. Thisaperture 13 is the same size as aperture '11.

As shown in-the drawing, the apertures 11 and 13 coincide although theymaybe offset if desired so that the'aperture 13 willbe over a portion of the disk 5 and the aperture 11 opposite the-disk 6. In this way each disk will provide a smooth writing surface to support a scorecard at the point where itis exposedto view.

The boss 12 has a smooth centralholef14. This serves to receive a screw-threaded bolt 15 :having a knurled head 15. The bolt or screw 15 maybe adjusted to clamp the boss 12 on the boss '7. Where the material of the disks 5andt6 permits, as for example, when they are made of cardboard or the like, equivalent means may be used in place of the bo1t15. This may take the form of Ushaped clips, snapfasteners or thelike.

In this position there will result a space surrounding the boss 7 and between'the members 5 andG for the receptionofa scorecard... Thisspace may be proportioned so that the oardis clamped frictionally between the parts 5 and'fi'and by suitable adjustment of the screw 15 thegrip on the card may berelaxed so that the latter canbe'rotated.

Both the disks 5 and 6 are divided into concentric areas which are suitably marked with the items by which the score is counted. For example, thearea nearest the center of the holder may indicate that the players designation or initial be marked on the corresponding portion of the scorecard. The table'or other locality where the play is made may be called for bythe next greater circumferential area While the respective zones running outwardly of this point may serve to indicate the entries to be made for tricks, points made, points lost, and honors, in the order named.

The scorecard 17 adapted for use with this holder consists of a disk of paper or the like which is of slightly greater circumference than the top or cover member 6. As already stated the outer margin of the scorecard serves to show the successive numbers of hands played and is accordingly'marked for example, with the numhers from 1 to 16 if sixteen hands are to be played.

The obverse of this card as shown in Fig. l is divided radially into sixteen segments each separately numbered in its outer edge and corresponding in size to the apertures 11 and 13. It

is on this side that the entries are made for the original hands played. As indicated the card hasa central opening 18 fitting loosely over the lower boss 7 and around which it is revoluble.

The space on the card between the hole 18 and thesouter margin is divided circumferentially into a number of. zones forming separate entry spaces in each segmental portion. These entry'spaces correspond with the entries called for. by the marking. on'the faces of the disks 5 and 6.

The reverse side of the card is divided in the same manner already described and likewise the segmental portions are numbered in series. The numbering, however, runs in the reverse direction as shown by a comparison of the cards shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In Fig. 2 the reverse side is illustrated. It will be observed that the number ing. onthe opposite sides ofthe card is, therefore, in the opposite directions. If the numerals 1 coincidethenall of the numerals will alsocoincide. In theform shown if the entry blank numbered 1 on the obverse is beneath the aperture 13 then the corresponding blank'form 1 on the. reverse of the card will'be opposite the aperture 11 of the base.

If desired to have the apertures 11 and 13 oifset then the numbering will be correspondingly'offset. In this instance the diskswill provide support beneath that portion of the score- .card'which -is' exposed beneath the apertures.

The reverse or duplicate side of the card 1'7 will carry'spa'cingin. its margin for the entry of a comparativerscore between the duplicate hands played.

The disks may be suitably labeled to distinguish one from2.the other and Ihave for example marked the disk 5 duplicate and the disk 6 original.

It is believed that the above description will illustrate readily the manner in which this scoring device may be used. A circular scorecard being placed'between the disks 5 and 6 can be rotat'ed by means of its extending margin until the segmental portion marked 1 is beneath the aperture 13 of the top disk 6. This forms a suitable space in which to record the record of the play of that'hancl. By tightening the screw 15 the card .is held in fixed position. Each successive hand is recorded upon an appropriate portion of the scorecard after the latter has been drawn around underneath the aperture 13. For this purpose the margin of the cardis suitable and the operation may be facilitated by momentarily loosening thescrew 15.

After all the hands have been played the scores of the duplicate hands are correspondingly entered on the reverse side of the card. For this purpose the scoring. device itself may be. turned upside down or the holder opened and the position of the card reversed. With the reverse of the card turned up or exposed to view the record of the first duplicate hand can be entered on the card. This portion of the card marked for the first hand is the only portion in sight. At the conclusion of this hand if it is desired to compare the results with that of the hand as originally played, the device may be turned over when the score of the original hand of the corresponding number will be disclosed through the aperture 11. At the same time no other original score is visible.

The second duplicate hand may then be played and its score indicated upon the correspondingly numbered portion of the reverse side of the card. When this is done the score of that hand as originally played will be simultaneously brought into view through the aperture in the opposite side.

In this way the scores of the original hands are kept out of sight until such time as the scoring of the similar duplicate hands have been entered. Comparison between the scores ofthe two hands can then be made on the edge of the reverse side of the score card;

In the modified form shown in Fig. 5, the construction has been materially simplified without sacrifice of the facilities above described. As shown in the drawing the lower plate or base has the segmental slot 11 running out from the central stud or boss 7. This boss, however, has no central opening but on the contrary is screwthreaded over its outer circumference as indicated at 19. One portion of the outer circumference is flattened to provide the plane surface 20.

The cooperating cover or top plate member 6 has the slotted segment 13 already described. This segment 13 runs out from the central opening 21. The opening 21 is generally circular except one portion which is formed as a sector. In this way the central opening 21 has a shape corresponding to that of the stud 7. With the plate 6 mounted over the stud 7 the flat portion of the hole 21 coincides with the flat face 20 and thus prevents relative rotation between the cover 6 and the base 5. As indicated, the slot 13 does not coincide with slot 11 but rests over a portion of the base 5. In this manner the base provides a suitable surface upon which the scorecard is supported during writing.

A knurled nut 22 is provided to screw down over stud 7 and thus hold the base 5 and top 6 in adjusted position with varying degrees of frictional clamping on the interposed scorecard.

The operation of this form is in accordance with the description already given.

While one suggested modification has thus been indicated it will be evident that there are other variations in proportions and minor details which may be availed of without departing from the scope of the invention stated in the following claims.

What I claim is:

l. A scoring device for duplicate games consisting of a base having a segmental aperture and an upstanding central boss, engaging means on the top of the boss, a disk having a segmental aperture, separate means for clamping the base and disk together, means for maintaining the base and disk with their apertures in predetermined relative positions, and a scorecard held between the base and disk.

2. A scoring device for duplicate games consisting of a base comprising a disk having a segmental aperture and an upstanding central boss, a second disk having a segmental aperture and a central recess adapted to receive the said boss, separate means for clamping the disks together, means for maintaining the disks with the two apertures in predetermined relative positions, and a scorecard held between the base and disk.

3. A scoring device for duplicate games consisting of a base comprising a disk having a segmental aperture and'an upstanding central boss, engaging means on the top of the boss, a second disk having a segmental aperture and a central recess adapted to receive the said boss and said engaging means to maintain the base and disk with their apertures in predetermined relative positions, means for clamping the disks together and a scorecard revolubly mounted on the boss between the disks.

4. A scoring device for duplicate games consisting of a base having a segmental aperture, a disk having a segmental aperture, a headed screw adjustably clamping the disks together, means for maintaining the base and disk with their apertures in predetermined relative positions and a scorecard revolubly mounted between the base and disk, said scorecard having duplicate designations on opposite sides arranged for simul taneous display through said apertures.

5. A scoring device for duplicate games con sisting of a base comprising a disk having a segmental aperture and an upstanding central boss, a second disk having a segmental aperture and a central recess adapted to receive the said boss, separate means for clamping the disks together, means for maintaining the two disks with their apertures in predetermined relative positions, a

scorecard revolubly mounted on said boss and frictionally held between the disks.

6. A scoring device for duplicate games consisting of a base comprising a disk having a segmental aperture and an upstanding central boss, engaging means on the top of the boss, a second disk having a segmental aperture and a central recess adapted to receive the said boss and said engaging means to maintain the disks with their apertures coincident, a headed screw adjustably clamping the disks together and a scorecard revolubly mounted on the boss between the disks, said scorecard being of greater diameter than the second disk and being marked on both sides to provide scoring segments corresponding in area to the apertures, said segments being consecutively marked on the exposed circumference and identically designated on the opposite sides of the exposed circumference.

HAROLD W. SLAUSON. 

